This paragraph is for any production staff who may be reading this, you never know! Please remember that while many departments and areas of production have several staff on site there is only one prompt operator. In a busy show the best time for the operator to catch up with changes, knock the script into shape etc… is during tea breaks and meal breaks. That’s about the only time they get a bit of peace and quiet. Because there’s nobody to take over they could be sitting at the base station from start to finish, so, please, a little patience when they ask for a comfort break or to get a sandwich – you might even get a cup of coffee for them occasionally – they’ll pay you back!